Page 65 of The Christmas Trap

"The usual. The first two missions I was on went without a hitch. On the third"—I push aside the emotions which squeeze my chest—"we were ambushed. We were very lucky to be able to retreat with minimum casualties. All of us got out."

"But you didn’t go back."

"Almost having lost my life put things in perspective. I wasn’t afraid of dying. But there was more I wanted to accomplish before I did. I knew I could make a bigger difference from the outside."

She leans forward. "How did you do that?”

"I took the discipline and the training from the Marines and poured it into work.”

Realization dawns in her eyes. “You certainly have a veteran’s thoroughness in how you approach your job.”

I tilt my head in acknowledgement. “I prioritize giving jobs to those who’d have otherwise been discarded when they came home."

Realization dawns in her eyes. "Your employees?—"

I nod. "I draw from troops and those with military experience, as well as veterans who’re floundering. I pay for their retraining so their skills can be transferred to the corporate world. I also work closely with my uncle, who’s a former Marine, to expand into corporate security and risk management. We provide extraction and evacuation in unstable parts of the world. And employ those with relevant experiences from the armed forces."

"The companies that you want to fund?—"

"—are startups who’re researching technology that could provide better intel for our troops."

"Wow." Her eyes grow wide. She thinks over what I said. I know the exact moment she pieces everything together, for she leans forward. “Wait, does this mean that the money you get from your inheritance?—"

“I plan on using the bulk of it to set up Davenport Foundation.”

“That sounds like a non-profit organization.”

“It is.” I nod. “The focus will be to retrain vets when they leave the military so they can find jobs in civilian life. I also want to provide them with mental health services to help them adjust to daily life.”

“Wait, that’s why you want to inherit? So, you can help military vets?” Her features wear an expression of surprise.

“I have more than enough for my needs. If I can make a difference to others, it'll satisfy me more.”

She scans my features and must realize how sincere I am about this, for she nods.

“Just when I think you’re coldhearted, you say something like this and make me reevaluate my opinion of you.”

“Oh?”

She taps her fingers on the arm of her chair. "Your actions are selfless in a way that surprises me."

"Oh, it isn’t all selfless. I’ll make sure the money also earns me profits."

"But you'll also create employment opportunities and try to make missions safer for future Marines. And you want to use your inheritance to train veterans so they can find jobs and fit back into civilian life."

"Glad your opinion of me is improving." I allow myself a smirk.

She reddens. “Not completely. I find you arrogant, high-handed, and bossy.”

“Bossy?” I lean in, lowering my voice. “That’s the best you’ve got?”

Her chin tips up. “I’ll keep adding to the list.”

“Go on.” I let the smirk deepen. “I’d like to hear it. Especially if it means you’re thinking about me when you should be working.”

Her lips part. Then snap shut. Color flushes her cheeks.

Yes! I have her. Sheunderstands my motivations in accessing my inheritance and she’s appreciative of it. That’s a huge step forward.